India, Aug. 16 -- Twenty blackbucks were released into Gujarat's Banni Grasslands on Sunday as part of an initiative to restore native herbivore populations and strengthen the ecosystem of one of India's largest grassland landscapes.

The Gujarat Forest Department, with technical support from the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC), Vantara, released the animals on India's 80th Independence Day.

The group comprised five males and 15 females and was transferred from Vantara in Jamnagar after obtaining approvals from the Chief Wildlife Warden, Gujarat, and the Central Zoo Authority.

The animals underwent veterinary examinations, health screening, quarantine and disease surveillance before being transported and relea...